Indian-born entrepreneur ‘linked’ to deadly pager blasts in Lebanon: Who is Rinson Jose?

Rinson Jose, a 37-year-old Indian-born entrepreneur and Norwegian citizen, has emerged as a key figure in the investigation surrounding the recent pager explosions in Lebanon, which reportedly killed nearly 20 people and injured thousands of Hezbollah members.

Jose is the sole owner of the Bulgaria-based company Norta Global Limited and is suspected of being involved in the supply chain for the pagers that detonated during the incident.

The explosions, which occurred on September 17, have raised concerns regarding the involvement of various companies in the logistics behind the devices. According to Mail Online, while the pagers were manufactured by a Hungarian company, BAC Consulting, under the trademark of Taiwanese firm Gold Apollo, they were purportedly acquired through Norta Global.

According to the report, Jose has gone missing since the attacks.

According to Mail Online, while the pagers were manufactured by a Hungarian company, BAC Consulting, under the trademark of Taiwanese firm Gold Apollo, they were purportedly acquired through Norta Global. (Reuters)

Telex, a Hungarian media outlet quoting sources on the pagers deal, said, “Although on paper it was BAC Consulting that signed the contract with Gold Apollo, Norta Global was actually the one behind the deal.”

However, investigations by Bulgaria’s national security agency SANS have cleared Jose and Norta Global of any direct involvement in the shipment of explosives related to the blasts, asserting that no such equipment passed through Bulgaria.

“Following verifications, it has been indisputably established that no communication equipment corresponding to those that exploded on September 17 was imported, exported or manufactured in Bulgaria,” SANS said

Jose’s family, based in Wayanad, Kerala, expressed disbelief regarding his potential involvement. Talking to local media, his uncle, Thangachan, stated that he suspects Rinson may have been deceived or misled about his business dealings. The family has struggled to contact him since the incident.

Meanwhile, Jose’s cousin Aju John, told Manorama Online, “He never told me about a company he owns in Bulgaria or any of his business relationships there. We are very much worried as it is linked with the attack on terrorist outfits,”

P L Shyju, Deputy SP Special Branch, Wayanad talking to Manorama Online said that they have began investigations after receiving reports on Rinson’s connection with the Lebanon attack.

An ambulance arrived at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) as more than 1,000 people, including Hezbollah fighters and medics, were wounded when the pagers exploded across Lebanon. (Reuters)

Who is Rinson Jose?

Completing his MBA from Pondicherry University and Masters in International social welfare and health policy from Oslo Metropolitian University, Jose moved to Norway more than a decade ago.

Jose last visited his home in November and returned in January his uncle told Manoram Online. Jose Moothedam, Rinson’s father, is a tailor and owns a shop in Mananthavady.

Rinson was associated with a job consultancy firm in Norway and his social media says that he is employed with DN Media group. Additionally, the profile read that he is an entrepreneur running Nortalink, an IT and consulting firm.

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